The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 98
PETER F. BESSESEN.
Peter F. Bessesen, who is filling the position of assistant postmaster at
Toppenish, was born near Portland, Oregon, on the 9th of September, 1888, a son
of Sjur and Barbara Bessesen, both of whom were natives of Norway. In the year
1884 they became residents of Oregon, and the father, who devoted his early life
to sailing, afterward became a farmer of that state. He passed away February 7,
1896. Peter F. Bessesen acquired a public school education while spending his
youthful days in his mother's home. After the death of her first husband she
became the wife of J. M. Hildreth, who died in 1911, and later she married N. G.
Van Dusen.
In 1903 the family went to Yakima, where Peter F. Bessesen attended the high
school. When his school days were over he took up the occupation of farming in
connection with his stepfather and also conducted a large dairy. At a subsequent
period he engaged in the meat business and in other lines and at one time he and
his stepfather, Mr. Hildreth, conducted a butcher shop in the old town of
Yakima, which they opened in 1902, there carrying on business until 1907. In the
latter year they removed to Toppenish and Mr. Bessesen conducted a meat market
in this town until 1912 and at the same time was identified with other business
interests. He entered the post office in 1912 in the capacity of letter carrier
and later was retained for inside work, while in 1917 he was appointed to the
position of assistant postmaster and is now acting in that capacity.
On the 10th of March, 1910, Mr. Bessesen was united in marriage to Miss Maude
Calkins, of North Yakima, and to them were born four children: Ivan Sjur and
Pauline Peter, both of whom died of scarlet fever; Jack Peter F.; and Ralph
Alonzo.
Mr. Bessesen is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and also of the Foresters
of America. His political views are in accord with the teachings and principles
of the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church.
He has spent his entire life in the northwest and has therefore been a witness
of its wonderful growth and development. He has lived to see remarkable changes
in the Yakima valley during his connection therewith and through the conduct of
business interests has contributed in no small measure to its growth and
success.
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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.